Mohafe urges Rise And Shine to take their chances against Matsatsantsa

Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe admits he is concerned with his team's poor finishing ahead of their crunch Betway Premiership clash with SuperSport United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, April 26.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

Rise And Shine were challenging for a top-three finish heading into February, but they've struggled to take their chances in recent weeks and have only won one of their last 10 matches.

The Limpopo outfit have only scored seven goals since the turn of the year and they've failed to even find the back of the net eight times during that run of 13 games.

A 2-0 defeat to local rivals Sekhukhune United on April 19 left Mohafe's side down in sixth place on 34 points, six adrift of the final CAF berth with four fixtures left to play in the season.

SuperSport have their backs firmly against the wall and relegation is a real possibility after enduring a torrid campaign, which resulted in the departure of Gavin Hunt on March 21.

Andre Arendse at least managed to pick up two points from his first two matches at the helm, but it has hardly helped Matsatsantsa's cause as they remain at the foot of the table, one point behind Cape Town City (14th).

With Royal AM having been expelled from the league, there will be no automatic relegation this term, but the 15th-placed team would still be involved in the playoffs and the Tshwane club won't relish having to face the promotion-challenging teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe

"It's a worrying factor. Sometimes I wish that you could come into our [training] sessions and see what we are doing in terms of finishing, going into the opposition half and creating those chances and scoring.

"But coming to the match is a different story. I really don't know what is happening with our finishing, but we will continue working on that.

"It worries us, but at this moment in time, we should be more worried about getting positive results than worried about sliding down. If you can get one win, then maybe things will change for the better."

SuperSport United interim coach Andre Arendse

"It's very easy to fall into panic mode, you know, when you look at the league table. But we have to stay as far away as possible from panic.

"I know that the games are running out, but this is what we are used to. This is what we know and I think that it's a matter of time before we win games.

"I know there are not many games left, but it's definitely coming. I have so much confidence in this team and if I go through them, man for man, they can compete with the best teams out there."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Polokwane City - Nyakala Raphadu hasn't had much of a look-in this season, but he impressed against Babina Noko after replacing the ineffective Bonginkosi Dlamini at the start of the second half. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder struck the left post with a curling effort from long range and set up a chance for Mokibelo Ramabu following some good link-up play outside the box.

SuperSport United - Christian Saile will have an important role to play for Matsatsantsa as they look to avoid the promotion/relegation playoffs and he needs to start finding the back of the net more regularly in their final four fixtures. The 25-year-old DR Congo striker has scored just once in the league since his arrival on loan from Kaizer Chiefs in January, although he came close to breaking the deadlock against Gallants with a shot that flashed across the face of goal.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)

Matches - 5

Polokwane wins - 2

SuperSport wins - 1

Draws - 2